Mr. Jonathan Mason, Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy in the Liberian
transitional government has threatened to resign his post in the Liberian
transitional government if proven guilty that he bribed MODEl to occupy
the ministerial position.

Minister Mason threat comes in the wake of mounting accusations both
at home and abroad that he gave the High Command of the second rebel
group-Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) US$10,000 to bribe his
way through in order to serve in the transitional government.

During the onset of the transitional government chaired by Charles
Gyude Bryant, the belligerent groups including LURD, MODEL and former
GOL – the main parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement -
became flea markets for jobs: they traded several positions allotted
them in the government, with what is considered total disregard of academic
and professional qualifications. Those who had the cash took the day!

But it is yet to be established if Minister Mason is one of the several
individuals who bribed their way through to serve in the transitional
government - NTGL's mandate is to restore peace and stability to a nation
devastated by the 14-year of bloody war that claimed about 250 lives,
destroyed over billion dollars worth of properties, sent over 800,000
in internally displaced camps and 500,000 at refugee camps across the
sub-region of West Africa.

“ Minister Mason both academically and professionally qualified
to serve any position in the country”, a senior staff at the Ministry
of lands, Mines and Energy said. Minister Mason first worked at the
ministry as an Assistant and Deputy Minister under the Samuel Doe government
and Minister under the Dr. Amos Sawyer government and now minister for
the same ministry.

On may 6 at about 3:00pm, Minister Mason came into face to face with
journalists at his well furnished office at the Ministry of Lands, Mines
and Energy to address himself to several allegations reported in the
local and international press.

In an uncompromising tongue, the Liberia’s mining minister said
publicly he is challenging his accusers to prove him guilty of bribing
his way into the government, adding that “ if that is proven”,
he would resign from the government within 24-hour period.

He called on his accusers to meet with the leadership of MODEL, the
warring party that nominated him in the government, to find out if indeed
he bribed them as it has been alleged. But many believe that even if
it is true, MODEL’s leadership will not confirm that Minister
Mason did bribe them to nominate him.

Before being nominated, Minister Mason said the leadership of MODEL
asked him to recommend several qualified names for the position for
which MODEL was to select the best choice for the ministerial position.
He, however, felt short to reveal the names of people he recommended
for possible employment.

He stated that after MODEL interviewed all those he recommended, the
faction requested that he also be interviewed, an invitation, according
to him, he honored and was subsequently nominated.

But prior to Minister Mason nomination, employees of the ministry issued
a press release in which they appealed to MODEL to nominate Mr. Mulbah
Willie, now Deputy Minister, for the senior minister position.